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Post by djgmax on Jun 3, 2015 20:22:22 GMT
Hi Guys, I have just joined and was hoping you could give me a little advice. I am looking for a telescope, fasinated by the night sky all my life and my son has taken an interest (8 years old) I have seen this one and was wondering what you think - any guidence would be greatly received. www.celestron.com/browse-shop/astronomy/telescopes/powerseeker-127eq-telescopeThanks for your help David
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Post by stevie on Jun 3, 2015 21:02:24 GMT
Hi David, and welcome to the forum. To be honest, I would not recommend this telescope. There are several reasons. It is a 5" reflector. That means the mirror is 5 inches across. You will not be able to see very much detail with it, and both you and your son will be disappointed with the views. It is on an equatorial (EQ) mount. These mounts are the most difficult to use, especially for children. The supplied eyepieces are poor quality. Now, having said all that, it is only £107 or thereabouts. Can you let us know what your budget will stretch to, and we can make a recommendation based on that? In the meantime, have a read at this eaas.proboards.com/thread/3091/choosing-first-telescope
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Post by djgmax on Jun 3, 2015 21:10:05 GMT
Hi Stevie
Thanks for the prompt reply - I dont think I want to go over £200? (that would be the max) I based the last one on reviews - I would using the scope intially and letting my son take a look, however i would be learning the same time as him.
Its a bit of a minefield!
Best David
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Post by stevie on Jun 3, 2015 22:00:52 GMT
Hi again David There are two telescopes I would recommend to you to consider. The first is a 6" Skywatcher dobsonian reflector. This is the easiest type of telescope for a beginner (and more experienced) astronomer to use. Because the base is a very simple design, most of the money goes into the mirror, which, in this case, is 6" across. That may not sound like much compared to the 5" you mentioned earlier, but the 6" has almost 50% more light gathering power than the 5". In astronomy, aperture is king, the bigger the mirror (or lens in a refractor), the more you will see, and the better you will see it. The telescope is easy to handle and store, just leave it on its base pointing upwards and it takes up hardly any floor space. Here is a link www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.htmlThe second one to consider is a 3" refractor. Sir Patrick Moore always used to say that a 3" refractor is the equivalent of a 6" reflector. This telescope is on an equatorial mount, but it is much easier to use this type of mount with a refractor telescope than with a reflector. The magnifications available are not quite as high as for the 6" dobsonian. www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/skywatcher-evostar-90-eq2.htmlAll in all, the 6" reflector would be my choice. The eyepieces with both telescopes are not great, but you can upgrade later. One problem with a reflector telescope is collimation (lining the mirrors up), but this can be easily learnt. You can also upgrade to a better finderscope as well. You may find either of these telescopes slightly cheaper elsewhere on the internet, I have just used First Light Optics as they give a very clear description and good photographs. You may even be able to see the 3" refractor in Black and Lizars in Wellington Place in Belfast. Don't forget that, if you do find your choice cheaper elsewhere, to take into consideration transport costs, which can vary considerably from supplier to supplier. Let us know how you get on, and please feel free to ask for any other advice. If you get a telescope, one of us would be delighted to come along and give you a hand to get it set up, and to give you some advice on how to use it, and what sort of objects in the night sky you can use it to view.
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Post by djgmax on Jun 4, 2015 8:51:23 GMT
H Stevie
Thanks again - I think I will go for the Skywatcher Skyliner 150. I am a keen amateur photographer and would like to try and take a snaps of vaiorus things in the sky.
I will keep you posted.
Best Regards David
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